Flap holding device for cartons



June 25, 1963 Y B. MAYER 3,094,827 FLAP HOLDING DEVICE FOR CARTONS FiledJune 20, 1961 IN V EN TOR.

h'll' B. P 1 1p Mayer Jud/us Star 6 2/ 5 Z flflbfnggs K 3,094,827Patented June 25, 1963 Free 3,094,827 FLAP HOLDING DEVICE FDR CARTONSPhillip B. Mayer, 2029 E. Newport Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. Filed June 20,1961, Ser. No. 118,465 8 Claims. (Cl. 53-381) This invention relates toa flap holding device for cartons and more particularly to a device forfirmly holding the overlapping flaps of a partially filled container sothat the flaps can be stapled or otherwise fastened together.

Cardboard cartons are generally fabricated with an open top and fourflaps are folded over to enclose the open top of the carton. The normalprocedure in joining the flaps together to seal the container is tostaple or otherwise mechanically fasten the flaps together. However,when the carton is only partially filled, the contents of the cartonwill not provide a bearing surface for the stapling device and thereforeit is not possible to staple the over-lapping flaps of a partiallyfilled carton. Normally, the flaps of a partially filled carton aresealed by gummed tape. The taping operation requires a considerablygreater period of time than stapling land the tape does not provide aseal which is as strong as staples or mechanical fasteners.

The present invention is directed to a device for holding theoverlapping flaps of a carton so that the flaps may be stapled orotherwise fastened together. More particularly, the device comprises athin elongated tube which is adapted to be inserted within the cartonthrough the opening between the folded flaps. A collapsible wing isfolded against the thin tube when the same is inserted within theopening between the flaps, and after the wing has passed within thecontainer it is automatically expanded to a position generally normal tothe axis of the tube. In addition to the collapsible wing, at fixed wingis also connected to the tube which is biased against the outer surfaceof the flaps so that the flaps are firmly held between the innercollapsible wing and the outer wing. With the flaps held in thisposition and supported by the inner wing, the flaps can be readilystapled together by use of a stapling gun.

The present device is easily inserted within the opening between thefolded flaps and will not enlarge the opening to any extent. The flapsare firmly held in the overlapping position by the wings which [arelocated on the inner and outer surfaces of the flaps. While held in thismanner, the flaps can be readily fastened together i by stapling orother mechanical fastening means.

In addition, the collapsible wing can be readily folded against the thintube after the stapling operation so that the entire tube can be readilyremoved from the container.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the followingdescription.

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carryingout the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cardboard carton with the flap holdingdevice being inserted within the opening between the folded flaps;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the flap holding device with parts brokenaway in section and showing the collapsible wing in the extended holdingposition;

FIG. '3 is a reduced transverse section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a reduced transverse section taken along line 44 of FIG. 2with the carton flap removed;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is :a fragmentary view' similar to FIG. 2 showing the collapsiblewing in the collapsed position.

The drawings illustrate a container or carton 1 formed of cardboard orother similar material and which includes a pair of side walls 2 and endwalls 3. The carton 1 has an open top which is adapted to be enclosed byfour flaps 4 which are folded downwardly over the open top.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flap holding device 5 of the invention isinserted within the small opening between the overlapping flaps 4 of thecarton 1 and is adapted to hold the overlapping flaps in tightengagement for stapling or other mechanical fastening operations.

The flap holding device 5 includes a thin elongated outer tube 6 havinga pair of diametrically opposite slots 7 which extend substantially thelength of the tube. The upper end of the tube 6 is threaded and isreceived within a threaded recess 8 in a hand knob 9.

The lower end of the tube 6 is cut diagonally with respect to the axisof the tube and is provided with a small projecting tip 10.

A rod 11 is located within the tube 6 and the lower end of the rod isformed integrally with a slide 12 which is adapted to slide within thetube 6. The upper end of the rod is threadedly received within anopening in a central slide 13 and the slide 13 is biased downwardly by aspring 14 which is interposed between the slide 13 and the hand knob 9.

The central slide 13 is provided with an opening in alignment with theslots 7 and a finger loop 15 is disposed within the opening and extendslaterally outward through the slot 7. The fingers of the operator areadapted to be engaged within the loop 15 and by drawing the fingersupwardly against the palm of the hand which engages the hand knob 9, theslide 13 and rod 6 will be drawn upwardly within the tube against theforce of the spring 14.

An annular collar 16 is slidably disposed around the rod 11 and a spring17 is disposed between the collar 16 and the slide 13 and functions tobias the collar down- 'wardly toward the lower end of the rod. A pair ofwings 18 are secured to the collar 16 and extend outwardly through theslots 7.

A yoke 19 is pivotally secured to the slide 12 by a pin 20 which extendsthrough the slots 7. A pair of wings 21, similar in construction towings 18, are secured to the yoke and in the flap holding positionextend normally to the axis of the rod 11 and are displaced from thewings 18. To maintain the Wings 21 in the extended position normal tothe axis of the rod 11, a coil spring 22 is disposed around the pin 20and one end of spring 22 is secured Within an opening in recess 23formed in the lower end of slide 12 and the other end of the spring issecured with an opening in yoke 19.

In operation of the device, the loop 15 is initially pulled upwardlytoward the hand knob 8' by the operator which compresses the spring 14and moves the slides 12 and 13 upwardly as well as the collar 16. As theslide 12 is pulled upwardly, one of the wings 21 engages the tip 10 onthe tube causing the wings to tilt. Further upward movement of the slide12 causes the wings 21 to collapse against the side of the tube as shownin FIG. 6. With the wings 21 disposed flatwise against the side of thetube, the tube is inserted within the opening between the flaps 4. Asthe tube is inserted within the opening, the wings 18 engage the outersurface of the flaps and are moved upwardly toward slide 13, therebycompressing the spring 17.

When the device has been inserted sufiiciently far within the carton topermit the wings 21 to be extended, the loop 15 is released and thespring 14 will move the slides 12 and 13 downwardly and thereby causethe yoke '19 to move toward the end of the tube. The small spring 22 3will automatically return the wings 21 to the extended position when theyoke reaches the end of the tube.

With the wings in the extended position, the device is then raised untilthe extended wings '21 engage the lower surface of the flaps 4 and thespring 17 at this time will urge the outer wings 18 against the outersurface of the flaps so that the flaps are tightly held between thewings 18 and 21, as shown in FIG. 2.

With the flaps being firmly held, a stapler or other mechanicalfastening device can then bear against the flaps to attach the flapstogether.

After the stapling operation has been completed, the device can beremoved by initially pushing down on the device so that the wings 21will be located a sufficient distance beneath the flaps so that they canbe collapsed against the side of the tube. The loop 15 is then pulledupwardly, moving the slides 12 and 13 upwardly and cansing the wings 21to collapse against the side of the tube and enabling the tube to bewithdrawn from the hole between the flaps.

The thin elongated fiap holder of the invention can be readily insertedwithin the small openings between the flaps in the normal cardboardcarton without danger of enlarging this opening. The inner wingsautomatically extend once the wings are disposed within the container sothat the flaps are firmly held between the inner and outer wings duringthe stapling operation. Similarly, the device can be readily withdrawnfrom the container after stapling by merely pushing the device inwardlyand collapsing the inner wings against the tube.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

1 claim:

1. A device for firmly holding the folded overlapping flaps of apartially filled container while the flaps are mechanically fastenedtogether, comprising an elongated member having a first end portion anda second end portion with said first end portion adapted to be disposedwithin an opening between the folded flaps and the second end portionadapted to be disposed outside of the container when the device is inthe operative holding position, a collapsible holding member pivotallyconnected to said first end portion and disposed to be moved from acollapsed position in general alignment with the axis of the elongatedmember to an extended position generally normal to the axis of theelongated member, means disposed at said second end portion and operablyconnected to the collapsible holding member and adapted to be actuatedby an operator for moving the collapsible member to said collapsedposition to enable the elongated member to be inserted within theopening between the flaps, and a fixed holding member disposed generallynormal to the axis. of the elongated member and connected to theelongated member at a location between said collapsible holding memberand said second portion with said fixed holding member adapted to engagethe outer surface of the folded flaps and the collapsible holding memberadapted to engage the inner surface of the folded flaps to therebyfirmly hold the flaps together for fastening.

2. A device for firmly holding the folded overlapping flaps of apartially filled container while the flaps are mechanically fastenedtogether, comprising an elongated tubular member having an inner portionadapted to be disposed within an opening between the folded flaps andhaving an outer portion adapted to be located outwardly of thecontainer, a slide slidably disposed within the tubular member, acollapsible holding member having its central portion pivotally securedto said slide and disposed to be moved from an extended position inwhich the ends of said collapsible member extend laterally outward fromthe tubular member in at least two different directions to a collapsedposition generally parallel to the axis of the tubular member as theslide is moved toward the outer portion of the tubular member, operatingmeans connected to the slide for moving the slide outwardly within thetubular member to thereby pivot the collapsible holding member to thecollapsed position, and means open-ably connected to the collapsibleholding member for pivoting the same to the extended position as theslide is moved to the inner portion of the tubular member.

3. A device for firmly holding the folded overlapping flaps of apartially filled container while the flaps are mechanically fastenedtogether, comprising an elongated tubular member having an end disposedat an acute angle to the axis thereof and said end adapted to bedisposed within an opening between the folded flaps and having theopposite end portion adapted to be located outwardly of the container, aslide slidably disposed within the tubular member, collapsible holdingmeans including a yoke disposed around the tubular member and pivotallyconnected to the slide, said collapsible holding means including a wingfixed to the yoke and extending outwardly on either side from the yokeand disposed to be moved from an extended position generally normal tothe axis of the tubular member to a collapsed position generallyparallel to the axis of the tubular member as the slide is moved towardsaid opposite end portion of the tubular member, operating meansassociated with said opposite end portion and operably connected to theslide for moving the slide toward said opposite end portion to therebypivot the yoke and move the wing to the collapsed position, and meansoperably connected to said collapsible holding means for pivoting thewing to the extended position as the slide is moved to the first namedend of the tubular member.

4. A device for firmly holding the folded overlapping flaps of apartially filled container while the flaps are mechanically fastenedtogether, comprising an elongated tubular member having an inner enddisposed diagonally to the axis thereof and having a slot extendinglongitudinally thereof, a slide slidably disposed within the tubularmember, a collapsible holding member, connecting means extending throughsaid slot for pivotally connecting the central portion of thecollapsible holding member to the slide, said collapsible holding memberdisposed to be pivoted from an extended position generally normal to theaxis of the tubular member to a collapsed position generally parallel tothe axis of the tubular member as the slide is moved toward the outerportion of the tubular member, an operating member connected to theslide to move the slide outwardly within the tubular member and therebypivot the collapsible holding member to the collapsed position, saidtubular member being adapted to be inserted within an opening betweenthe folded flaps of the container when the collapsible holding member isin said collapsed position, and resilient means interconnecting theslide and the collapsible holding member for pivoting the collapsibleholding member to the extended 1 position as the slide is moved to theinner portion of l the tubular member and thereby locate the holdingmember against the inner surface of the folded flaps in position i tosupport the flaps for fastening.

5. The structure of claim 4 and including a wing mem- 3 her slidablyconnected with respect to the slide and including a wing extendingoutwardly through the slot and disposed generally normal to the axis ofthe tubular member, said wing member being located longitudinally of thecollapsible holding member in a direction toward the outer end of thetubular member and disposed to engage the outer surface of the foldedflaps while the collapsible holding member engages the inner surface ofthe folded flaps to thereby hold the flaps tightly between said members.

6. The structure of claim 1 in which the fixed holding member isdisplaced, with respect to the collapsible holding member inthe extendedposition.

7. A device for firmly holding the overlapping flaps of a partiallyfilled container while the flaps are fastened together, comprising anelongated member having a first end portionadapted to be inserted withinan opening between the folded flaps and having a second end portionadapted to be located outside of the container, a collapsible memberconnected to the first end portion of the elongated member and disposedto be moved from a collapsed position in general alignment with the axisof the elongated member to an extended position at an angle to saidaxis, means for collapsing said collapsible member to said collapsedposition to enable the elongated member to be inserted within theopening between the flaps, means for moving said collapsible member tothe extended position when said first end portion of the collapsiblemember is located within the container, and a holding member associatedwith the elongated member and extending outwardly from the elongatedmember at an angle to said axis, said holding member being locatedbetween said second end portion and said collapsible member and servingto engage the outer surface of the folded flaps when the collapsiblemember is in engagement with the inner surface of the folded flaps.

8. A device for firmly holding the overlapping flaps of a partiallyfilled container while the flaps are mechanically fastened together,comprising an elongated member having an inner portion adapted to beinserted within an opening between the folded flaps and an outer portionadapted to be located outside of the container, at collapsible memberhaving the central portion thereof pivotally connected to said innerportion of the elongated member and disposed to be pivoted from acollapsed position in general alignment with the axis of the tubularmember to an extended position at an angle to said axis, connectingmeans connected to the collapsible member and extending outwardly to theouter portion of said elongated member, an operating member connected tothe outer portion of said elongated member for actuating said connectingmeans and pivoting said collapsible member to the collapsed position toenable the elongated member to be inserted within the opening betweenthe flaps, a holding member associated with the elongated member andextending outwardly from the elongated member at an angle to said axis,said holding member being located between said collapsible member andthe outer portion of said elongated member and serving to engage theouter surface of the folded flaps when the collapsible member is inengagement with the inner surface of the folded flaps, and means forbiasing said holding member toward the collapsible member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,113,465 Moller Oct. 13, 1914

2. A DEVICE FOR FIRMLY HOLDING THE FOLDED OVERLAPPING FLAPS OF APARTIALLY FILLED CONTAINER WHILE THE FLAPS ARE MECHANICALLY FASTENEDTOGETHER, COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING AN INNER PORTIONADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED WITHIN AN OPENING BETWEEN THE FOLDED FLAPS ANDHAVING AN OUTER PORTION ADAPTED TO BE LOCATED OUTWARDLY OF THECONTAINER, A SLIDE SLIDABLY DISPOSED WITHIN THE TUBULAR MEMBER, ACOLLAPSIBLE HOLDING MEMBER HAVING ITS CENTRAL PORTION PIVOTALLY SECUREDTO SAID SLIDE AND DISPOSED TO BE MOVED FROM AN EXTENDED POSITION INWHICH THE ENDS OF SAID COLLAPSIBLE MEMBER EXTEND LATERALLY OUTWARD FROMTHE TUBULAR MEMBER IN AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO A COLLAPSEDPOSITION GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER AS THESLIDE IS MOVED TOWARD THE OUTER PORTION OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER, OPERATINGMEANS CONNECTED TO THE SLIDE FOR MOVING THE SLIDE OUTWARDLY WITHIN THETUBULAR MEMBER TO THEREBY PIVOT THE COLLAPSIBLE HOLDING MEMBER TO THECOLLAPSED POSITION, AND MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED TO THE COLLAPSIBLEHOLDING MEMBER FOR PIVOTING THE SAME TO THE EXTENDED POSITION AS THESLIDE IS MOVED TO THE INNER PORTION OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER.